Travel Flashback 2017

"Once a year, go some place you've never been before"-Dalai Lama

We are almost at the finishing line of half a year. So, it is obviously pretty late post for the flashback of last year. Better late than never, right?

Year 2017 started with a trip to Badami-Aihole-Pattadakal, one of the two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Karnataka. Two of our favourite cousins accompanied us on this memorable trip. The key ingredients that made this 1100 and odd kilometer road trip wonderful were good company, winter, climate, music, food, and conversations. Once we settled in Badami on the day of the journey we did nothing but to sit quaintly on the banks of Agasthya Lake and let the evening pass by. That would be the best memory of that trip. Badami-Aihole-Pattadakal archaeological park is vast and expansive. We were like kids left behind in a candy shop, it was hard to pick which monument to see and which to forgo. Though Pattadakal bagged the coveted UNESCO World Heritage Site title, our heart was in for Badami Caves (Caves Temple 1, Cave Temple 2, Cave Temple 3, Cave Temple 4) and Agasthya Lake.

Agasthya Lake

Badami Caves viewed from Agasthya Lake

Pattadakal

In February and March Tarun had gone solo to Hong Kong and Singapore on work. It was a short international trip, but needed to jot down for posterity. Tarun is of the opinion that since we both run the blog together we should document the journey we did together. However, I beg to differ and persistent in mentioning this.

Victoria Peak, Hong Kong

In June we have gone to Kotilingeshwara Temple in Kolar for a day trip. Mother was visiting and it was one of cousins' birthday. Initially we thought of going to a drama in Ranga Shankara. Unfortunately they were playing a English drama that day. As mother wasn't comfortable with language we dropped the idea. When asked the cousin she opted to go for a day trip and it wasn't difficult to zero down on this. It was quite near and there isn't much to see either.

Kotilingeshwara Temple, Kolar

Then comes the October, our yearly vacation time. This is going to be our first Europe trip. When we were young we never thought we would be fortunate enough to travel far and wide. And we don't even know whether we will be able to go to Europe again. We had to choose between the most popular destinations of Europe, Paris and Switzerland. We opted France because of inclination towards history, museums, architecture, wines, and of course its tagline "City of Love". We could have clubbed Switzerland too, but we decided to give a miss. Instead we added Luxembourg, Belgium, and Netherlands. Certainly we will be updating our stories here. One thing we had to say Europe is gorgeous and everyone should and must visit it once in their lifetime.

Luxembourg Garden, Paris

Saint-Sulpice, Paris

Palace of Versailles, Paris

The Louvre, Paris

Sacré-Cœur Basilica, Paris

Palace of Fontainebleau, Paris

Eiffel Tower, Paris

BCEE Clock Tower, Luxembourg City

Most Beautiful Balcony in Europe

Azlet River and Stone Bridge, Luxembourg City

Adolphe Bridge, Luxembourg City

Royal Palace, Brussels

Belgian Waffle

Atomium, Brussels

Zaanse Schans, Zaandam

Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

In November we had to attend a friend's wedding in Sagara. If you had read our earlier posts you will know we went to see Keladi, Ikkeri, and Honnemaradu in and between the wedding.

Honnemaradu

Keladi

Nandi, Ikkeri

The last leg of the year saw us trailing the Vijayanagara Empire in length and breath of Penukonda, Gooty, and Yaganti. They are not very famous or touristy, but Yaganti is religious place and saw constant influx of devotees. We based in Anantapur as that was the nearest and moderately decent city. One evening we had gone to an exhibition that displayed all seven wonders of the world. It is actually exhibition plus fair where you get to eat a lot of street foot, few rides like giant wheel for kids, and to shop a little. The experience was nostalgic as it reminded us of our childhood.

Uma Maheshwara Temple, Yaganti

Gagan Mahal, Penukonda

That is pretty much our travel experience of 2017. We wish to travel a lot more in 2018. Let's see how the year pans out for us travel-wise.

Written By: Pallavi

Cave Temple 4, Badami

"Live and allow others to live; hurt no one; life is dear to all living beings"-Mahavira

Most people don't make it to the cave four of Badami. For first it is the smallest cave compared to the other three. And secondly it lacks in grandiosity part as well in comparison with others. When we reached there it was almost mid-morning. Outside the day was scorching, however, it was totally cold in and around the caves. Agasthya lake lay as flat as any mirror without any ripples but for gleaming silver in the bright light of sun. Presence of Bhootnath Temple added beautiful vista to the entire surroundings.
   

Info: Badami Chalukyas practiced religious tolerance. Hence, Jain, Buddha, Shaiva, and Vaishnava scholars visited and inhabited at Badami. It is said they opted cave temples as residence because of its location instead of palaces or big stately mansions. Amidst nature it was a perfect place to perform their holy services.

It is built in the 7th century almost a century after the completion of other three caves. This temple is dedicated to Lord Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara of the Jains. Here, there is a stature of Mahavira in a sitting posture. The pillars and temple design are similar to other cave temples.  On the right wall of the cave there is an sculpture of Parshvanath, 7th Jain Tirthankara surrounded by all the other 24 Tirthankaras. One can see numerous carvings of Yakshas, Tirthankaras on the walls, satirically to say a bunch of naked men.

The rich architecture is testament to the proficiency and machinery skill of the artisans of that period. The commendable rock cut architecture is considered to be the infant models to the other temples built across the country at a later period of time.

We asked our guide to take leave because we knew we were going to spend some time in these rocky hills. The breeze was cool and crisp. Crowd was thronging in and out in no time, taking selfies, giggling. In places like these time slows often giving us time to dwell in the present.

Tips

Entry Fee: (To all 4 Cave Temples-Cave Temple 1, Cave Temple 2, Cave Temple 3)
Indian National: 15/-
Foreign Nationals: 200/-
Vehicle Parking: 50/-

Beware of monkeys. They snatch food items, bottles, or anything that looks appealing. Don't forget to close vehicles' windows.